The ruling body is instead preparing to use much, if not all, of the multi-million dollar kitty – which will rise to $10 million after the signing of the new A-League TV rights deal – to help cash-rich Melbourne City sign Australia veteran Tim Cahill.
City are the only A-League club to have shown genuine interest in snaring Cahill, 36, despite him being offered to each of them, while Holman, who retired from international football with 63 caps ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup – has attracted interest from a number of clubs, with Brisbane the keenest of all.
However, with the Roar in the midst of being sold off by the Bakrie Group to a consortium led by Melbourne businessman Daniel Cobb - its new managing director - funds are tight and it's understood the FFA was approached to top up the offer to Holman by around $300,000, only to be soundly rebuffed.
Meanwhile, it’s been mooted that FFA is so keen to attract Cahill back to boost TV ratings and the competition's branding ahead of negations for the new rights deal, that they asked Sydney FC not once, but twice, whether they would sign him, with a little help from the fund. That request fell on deaf ears..
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D-Day looming for Cahill deal
Head Office now appears poised use a chunk of the cash to help City lure Cahill – even though it is by far the best financed team in the competition under the ownership of the City Football Group.
Holman, 32, and still a potent performer after completing his most recent stint with UAE-based Emirates Club – where he scored six goals in 23 games – wants to return home after nearly 15 years aboard – but only of the deal is lucrative enough.
His agent, Sydney-based Paddy Dominguez, confirmed: “There has been plenty of interest in Brett, both here and also in Holland, where he has at least one offer in the Eredivisie.
“His preference is the A-League but it has to be the right sort of offer. I hope that clubs realise they can get an Eredivisie standard player for a decent price.”
Dominquez would not be drawn on which other A-league clubs are hunting Holman, but its known that Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory are on his trail as the former Sydneysider eyes a homecoming.
Holman, who spent nearly a decade in the Netherlands with Feyenoord, NEC and AZ Alkmaar, is currently on holiday with his Dutch wide and two children in Europe, as he weighs up his future..
